Curated with Care: Tour a North Carolina Cottage Influenced by European Country Styles

Text by Holly Seng

There’s no shortage of warmth and character found throughout Emi Sugiura’s North Carolina abode. From woven baskets and vintage paintings to copper, stoneware, and so much more, her love of the hunt pairs with her decorative touch for a layered and storied design.

“I always try to make my spaces warm and inviting,” Emi says, acknowledging her aesthetic is heavily influenced by European country styles. And with the natural wood furnishings enhanced by warm neutral textiles, her home’s entry hallway accomplishes just that. A small side table displays some of her treasured finds while vintage artwork adorns the walls.

The clean contemporary lines of the upholstered furnishings juxtapose antique and vintage accents, creating an approachable yet sophisticated setting. Flanking the fireplace are small nooks that Emi outfitted with floating shelves ideal for showcasing her favorite pieces. “My shelf styling is always evolving,” Emi notes. “At the moment, I enjoy displaying transferware dishes. I also have a fondness for displaying seashells and corals that I’ve collected over the years.” Layered rugs, soft throws, and a modern chair covered in a cream nubby fabric ensure the neutral scheme offers an abundance of texture.

In the kitchen, the wood range hood and coordinating shelf showcase Emi’s appreciation for nature-inspired design—especially with the earthy green tone of the island, painted Cardamom by Farrow & Ball. The surrounding cabinets coated in Farrow & Ball’s Roasted Macadamia create a creamy backdrop emphasized by the white quartz counters. Emi extended the cabinets to the ceiling, which allowed for a few small alcoves that display her ironstone and copper pieces.

Thrifted finds fill the dining room—from the chairs Emi stained and reupholstered to the chandelier she discovered on Facebook Marketplace. After rewiring the chandelier, she also added a ceiling medallion to achieve architectural interest. An expansive landscape grounds the back wall while a few avian accents impart her personal panache.

Setting out to create the ultimate cozy retreat after a long day, Emi opted for a serene neutral scheme and even made the bed linens herself. Behind the bed, vertical paneling creates an eye-catching accent wall that still maintains the room’s tranquil tone. Along the shelf above the bed, she arranges a few of her favorite knickknacks accented with seasonal touches, such as fresh florals.

The guest bedroom, which features two twin beds, embraces a hint of pattern with a brown-and-white gingham echoed in both the rug and bedding. Vintage prints adorn the wall above the hanging headboards while a brass sconce serves as a reading light.

By sticking with a heavily neutral palette throughout her home, Emi has created a cohesive and comforting canvas that highlights both her heartfelt collectibles and thoughtful architectural additions for a cottage that exudes carefully curated charm.

For more information, visit @house_of_7feathers on Instagram.